Online master’s degrees have similar curricula and requirements to on-campus programs. And an online program allows you to earn a degree on a timeline that suits your personal and professional needs. Online master’s programs may also be more affordable than a brick-and-mortar option. If you want to build up your credentials first, consider pursuing an education from the best online colleges. However, if you’re already qualified for an online master’s program, or if you’re just curious, we’ve identified our top picks for 2022 below.
Top 5 online master’s degrees: Quick facts
Checklist for applying to graduate school
Applying to graduate schools is an involved process, but advanced planning can help it go more smoothly. Los Angeles, CA Application fee: $120 Columbus, OH $1,795 nonresident Application fee: $60 Gainesville, FL Application fee: $30 Durham, NC Application fee: $95 Chapel Hill, NC $586.23 resident $1,602 nonresident Application fee: $95 Departments and programs may have deadlines differing from institutional deadlines. Make sure to check deadlines for programs you’re interested in and give yourself plenty of time to finish applying. You should also gather documentation, note admission requirements, explore tuition and funding options, and contact admissions offices with any questions you have.
Here’s a checklist of what you need to do to prepare for and apply to graduate school.Decide on a type of programChoose the schools to which you plan to applyReview admission criteriaTake the GRE, the GMAT, or other admissions examComplete the FAFSA to quality for federal student aidSend transcripts from your undergraduate degree and any previous graduate courseworkContact potential writers for letters of recommendationResearch funding options like assistantships and stipendsApply for private, departmental, and field-specific scholarships.
The best online master’s programs
To produce this list, we started by collecting federally reported data, programmatic and professional outcomes, and insights from industry experts. Then we applied ZDNet’s ranking methodology to find the best of the best. We’ve broken down the details to help you decide which college is right for you. Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
- University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California About the school: With more than 14,000 graduate and professional students, UCLA’s online master’s degrees include one in healthcare administration and 15 engineering programs.
Acceptance rate: 14%Graduation rate: 92%Avg. annual net price: $15,023Time to completion: Two to three yearsMinimum GRE score: No minimumMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: The University of California, Los Angeles is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 2. Ohio State University Columbus, OH About the school: OSU offers 20 online master’s degrees. The online MBA is designed specifically for working professionals.
Acceptance rate: 68%Graduation rate: 77%Avg. annual net price: $16,845Time to completion: Two yearsMinimum GRE score: No minimumMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous
The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 3. University of Florida Gainesville, Florida About the school: With more than 80 online master’s degrees available, UF also offers academic programs at dozens of locations statewide.
Acceptance rate: 31%Graduation rate: 88%Avg. annual net price: $5,135Time to completion: Two yearsMinimum GRE score: VariesMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Commission on Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 4. Duke University Durham, North Carolina About the school: Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Duke hosts nearly 10,000 graduate students annually, including those enrolled in the institution’s 10 online master’s programs.
Acceptance rate: 8%Graduation rate: 96%Avg. annual net price: $32,459Time to completion: One to two yearsMinimum GRE score: Required in some departments; no set minimumMinimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid
Accreditation: Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina About the school: Alongside online doctoral, undergraduate, and certificate programs, UNC-Chapel Hill offers 12 online master’s degrees.
Acceptance rate: 25%Graduation rate: 90%Avg. annual net price: $12,469Time to completion: Two yearsMinimum GRE score: 50th percentile or better recommendedMinimum GPA: 3.0 recommendedEnrollment periods per year: FourCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous programs available
Accreditation: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 6. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan About the school: With 19 schools and colleges, U-M offers 15 online master’s degrees among its over 275 online programs through Michigan Online. Through U-M, students can earn an online master’s in health infrastructures and learning systems.
Acceptance rate: 26%Graduation rate: 92%Avg. annual net price: $14,878Time to completion: One to two yearsMinimum GRE score: No minimum; average is 80th-90th percentileMinimum GPA: VariesEnrollment periods per year: OneCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: The University of Michigan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 7. Stanford University Stanford, California About the school: Stanford offers 13 online master’s degrees. Alongside extensive engineering options, programs include education, statistics, physics, and informatics master’s degrees.
Acceptance rate: 5%Graduation rate: 96%Avg. annual net price: $12,894Time to completion: Two to five yearsMinimum GRE score: VariesMinimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: FourCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous programs
Accreditation: Stanford University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 8. Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland About the school: Established in 1876, Johns Hopkins houses nine academic divisions. Johns Hopkins accommodates part-time and full-time students alike with more than 50 online master’s degrees.
Acceptance rate: 11%Graduation rate: 93%Avg. annual net price: $23,428Time to completion: Two to five yearsMinimum GRE score: VariesMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous programs available
Accreditation: Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 9. University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania About the school: Through Penn’s online learning initiative, students can complete one of four online master’s degrees. Programs include nonprofit leadership, computer and information technology, animal welfare and behavior, and healthcare innovation.
Acceptance rate: 9%Graduation rate: 97%Avg. annual net price: $25,046Time to completion: Two to five yearsMinimum GRE score: VariesMinimum GPA: VariesEnrollment periods per year: VariesCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 10. New York University New York, New York About the school: With three campuses and 11 academic centers and research programs worldwide, NYU offers 24 online master’s degrees through nine of its academic schools.
Acceptance rate: 21%Graduation rate: 84%Avg. annual net price: $38,569Time to completion: Two to five yearsMinimum GRE score: VariesMinimum GPA: VariesEnrollment periods per year: VariesCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
